So many questions, so little dime

Have you been following the first steps of President Obama? What an interesting two weeks, really. He has spoken with Muslim leaders around the world, he personally visited Republican congresspersons in order to acquire the support for his bailout plan (which was approved WITHOUT bipartisan support), he has ordered the closure of Guantanamo within a year, and ribbed the citizens of Washington D.C. for freaking out over a little snow and ice.

There were two other Presidents around last week, too. Click here to see a short video of President George H. Bush and President Bill Clinton interviewed together at the National Automobile Dealers Association meeting in New Orleans. They were both asked what the greatest regrets of their presidencies are, and their answers were interesting. Take the time to read.

What I was most interested in were Bill Clinton’s words (excerpt from the CNN article):

"presidents should share freely … the mistakes they made" with historians, because it teaches lessons. He said he shared problems during the lunch with Obama and the four living presidents, saying, "You want each new president to make new mistakes, not the same ones."

However you feel about Bill Clinton, these are some interesting words.

Here’s the thing, though, that I have felt all week as I have watched our new President. There is a sense of urgency in America right now. Perhaps it is motivated by fear, but it’s almost as if we do not have the time to ask questions or reflect on past mistakes or the stomach for more new mistakes (which, by the way, are completely necessary for learning). I think we are frightened by what’s happening economically. So what do we do with so many questions, but so little dime?

There are plenty of questions, and there always will be, but one thing Christians have learned from making plenty of mistakes, is to abandon outcomes and to trust God. We will not solve problems with being savvy or criticizing one another or by forcing solutions. We see the kingdom when we simply enter in. In His reality, everyone is fed without spinning, people are healed regardless of their health care provider and everyone learns from each others’ mistakes.